Botterman recalled for galvanizing Democrats in suburbs

"He was the architect of my first election, he masterminded it, and he deserves a lot of credit for the election."

Friends and family are still in shock -- not too strong a word -- over the fatal heart attack the 44-year-old Botterman suffered Monday after leaving the Democratic Leadership Conference in downtown Chicago.

The Arlington Heights native and Harper College trustee was healthy, as far as anyone knew, his brother Kevin Botterman said.

An outpouring of sympathy has streamed in from across the state. Mourners are remembering Botterman as a keen campaign tactician with a biting wit who was dedicated to improving government through politics.

"When it came to politics and organizing campaigns, he's the sharpest person I've encountered in that arena," his brother said.

He worked on dozens of campaigns, including those of Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack and Waukegan Mayor Richard Hyde.

Friends say it would have been only a matter of time before his talents took him to the national stage -- and in 2004, friend and Democratic strategist Kevin Lampe persuaded Botterman to join him temporarily on former Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun's presidential campaign.

Still, no one is sure he really cared about making a name for himself.

"He wasn't a guy looking for a lot of accolades," agreed state Sen. Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge, whose 2006 campaign was run by Botterman.

Former Democratic state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash had lunch with Botterman Monday. At one time the only Democrat in the state legislature from Lake County, she struggled with emotion Tuesday as she described the many conversations they had about how to grow the party.

Botterman helped galvanize Democrats on a grassroots level, she said.

"Many people were willing, but they didn't have a clue," Gash said. "He rolled up his sleeves and got things done."

Bean agreed.

"Without question, the recent and exciting growth in electoral and political engagement in the Northwest suburbs has as much to do with Botterman's foundation as Obama's inspiration," Bean said in a statement.

Botterman was heavily influenced by Eugenia Chapman, the Arlington Heights woman who was a rare suburban Democrat in the state House from 1965 to 1983. Botterman joined her campaign while he was still a student at Arlington High School.

Palatine Township Democratic Committeewoman Sue Walton recalled that Botterman masterminded a slate of Democrats and moderate Republicans who ran for local offices in 2001.

"There were many people who disagreed and viewed it very skeptically from both sides," Walton said.

Arlington Heights dentist Michael Schroeder was a Republican on that 2001 slate. He remained a friend, and said Botterman's love of campaigning transcended partisan politics.

Botterman was elected to the Harper College board in 1998, but lost a bid for re-election in 2003. Harper President Robert Breuder said that was because he was too busy managing other people's campaigns to give the proper attention to his own. In 2007 Botterman was elected again to the college board.

"He certainly was a class act," Breuder said. "You didn't hear from Patrick often, but when you did you knew that you should pay attention."

Botterman's platform for transparency in government was instrumental in getting the 2000 Harper tax increase approved by voters, Breuder said, netting the college $88.8 million for new construction.

Botterman also managed Dorothy Brown's campaign for Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court in the 2000 Democratic primary.

"He was specifically responsible for securing our Northwest suburban votes," Brown said in a statement.

But after Botterman felt Brown didn't follow through on promises to reform the clerk's office, he managed former Cook County judge Jerry Orbach's primary campaign against her in 2004, according to Botterman friend Kitty Kurth.

"When he thought there was an injustice #8230; he would do anything in his power to correct it," said Kurth, who is married to Lampe.

He also drew House Speaker Michael Madigan's ire for running John Schmidt against his daughter, Lisa Madigan, in the 2002 Democratic primary for Illinois attorney general.

Walton said Botterman has helped insure a bright future for local Democrats.

"I'm sorry he's going to miss this 2008 election, because it's been great fun to watch the numbers grow," she said.